L'Equipe report: PSG to aim for Draxler transfer, destination uncertain
France's most reliable footballing publication discloses that PSG will actively shop Julian Draxler for the remainder of the transfer window. Finding a buyer shall remain a tough task.
French footballing magazine “L’Equipe” confirms that German national team midfielder Julian Draxler will likely suit up for a different club before the current European transfer window closes on October 5th. Reports that he may be headed back to the Bundesliga, however, appear as of yet unsubstantiated.
While a rumor reported by lesport10.com links the 26-year-old with Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the basis of this assumption likely has roots in the fact that die Werkself expressed interest in him last season. Rüdi Voller’s club currently has a great deal of capital tied up in the Patrik Schick transfer and are said to be pursuing Olympique Marseille striker Florian Thauvin.
German publication “SportBild” rules out potential links with both Borussia Dortmund and Hertha BSC, also based on the fact that these clubs have their financial resources committed elsewhere. Draxler would cost a club upwards of €30 million and commands a €600,000 weekly wage.
Draxler’s performance in the German Nationalmannschaft’s two UEFA Nations League fixtures this past week led to a plethora of critical reviews from the German football punditry. Bundestrainer Joachim Löw has also publicly stated that a transfer out of Paris would greatly aid his national team prospects.
Neither Draxler nor PSG teammate Thilo Kehrer were given a break from national team duties this despite playing in the same delayed UCL tournament that led Löw to rest four Bayern München and two RB Leipzig players.
Draxler still has not found his way into a regular starting role at PSG under German coach Thomas Tuchel. He made only 12 starts in 22 competitive appearances last year for the French side. While the “L’Equipe” report emphasizes that Draxler is being actively shopped, it also acknowledges that finding a buyer will prove extremely difficult. All signs point to a long, drawn-out process.